Squatters have been evicted from a former south Manchester leisure centre for the second time in as many years.
Police officers were seen assisting bailiffs at the former Chorlton Leisure Centre in the early hours of Tuesday morning (August 20).
People could be seen leaving the council-owned building, on Manchester Road, with bikes, books, bedding and food.
Council bosses say it is hoped the former baths can be used for affordable housing and they obtained a court order to "take back control of the site".
It’s the second time in less than two years that the authority has taken action to reclaim the building from those occupying it.
A group, known as ‘We R’, were turfed out of back in November 2017 after filling up the swimming pool and bringing the sauna back into use.
The action cost the council £10,000 due to the involvement of a specialist team from the sheriff’s office.
At the time, Manchester City Council say it was a ‘particularly complex’ eviction involving ‘obstructive’ squatters.
But those living at the property claimed their group of around 28 had drained and refilled the disused pool and plumbed the sauna for use by the community.
They said they were there to help young people who have fallen on hard times and claimed they had left the building in a better state than how they found it.
It is not known if the squatters evicted today were affiliated with those evicted in December 2017.
The former council baths closed in June 2015 to public dismay and despite a last ditch attempt to run it as a not-for-profit venture.
It is part of an ongoing consultation into the future of several buildings in central Chorlton. A number of official groups have already come forward with formal plans to bring the centre back into community use.
The council hopes to use the site for affordable housing in partnership with a registered housing provider.
A Manchester City Council spokesperson said: “We are aware that squatters had broken into the former leisure centre in Chorlton and the Council obtained a court order to take back control of the site.
"This happened today and the building will be secured."
